The University of Hertfordshire is a public university in Hatfield, just north of London, with strengths in business, computing, engineering and aviation, pharmacy, media and the creative arts. A Russian school leaver can start with a foundation at Hertfordshire International College, run by Navitas, for $22,490–23,550 (£16,995–17,795) in 2026/27; direct entry to year one requires a completed first year at a Russian university or a UK foundation. The standard international undergraduate fee for 2026/27 is $23,090 (£17,450) a year, taught master's courses cost $23,750–30,370 (£17,950–22,950), and paying the full year at registration saves $1,320 (£1,000).
Hatfield is outside London for visa purposes, so the living-cost figure you must show is lower than for London universities. Do not confuse Hertfordshire with the University of Hartford in Connecticut, USA.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England; College Lane and de Havilland campuses |
| Route from an 11-year school | foundation at Hertfordshire International College (Navitas) with the attestat |
| Foundation, 2026/27 | $22,490–23,550 (£16,995–17,795) for two semesters |
| Bachelor's, 2026/27 | standard fee $23,090 (£17,450) a year |
| Master's, 2026/27 | $23,750–30,370 (£17,950–22,950); up to £23,450 on some courses |
| Scholarships (January 2027 start) | £500–4,000 automatic; £2,000 a year for undergraduates; £4,000 for early master's deposits |
| Deposit for the CAS | at least $6,620 (£5,000) |
| Halls, 2026/27 | de Havilland en-suite: $270 (£204.26) a week |
Who Hertfordshire suits
| Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|
| Close to London while visa funds are set at the lower outside-London rate | Hatfield is a small town; life centres on the campuses |
| A pathway college on campus with progression to the university | The college is a separate provider (Navitas) with its own contract |
| Clear published requirements for Russian applicants | The attestat alone does not open year one |
| Automatic discounts with no separate application | Discounts cannot be combined and change from intake to intake |
| September and January starts for master's courses | 2027/28 fees have not been published yet |
Hertfordshire suits applicants who want to live near London without London fees, on an applied course in business, IT, engineering, pharmacy or media. London alternatives are compared in our guide to universities in London, and the full list is on study in the UK.
Requirements for applicants from Russia
The university publishes Russian requirements by level:
| Entry point | Academic requirement | English (IELTS) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Russian school certificate (attestat) | 4.5, no band below 4.0 |
| Year one | attestat plus a first year at a Russian university or a UK foundation | 6.0, no band below 5.5 |
| Year two or three | individual assessment; no agreed progression routes | 6.0, no band below 5.5 |
| Pre-Master's | four-year bachelor's with an average below 3.5/5 | 5.5, no band below 5.5 |
| Taught master's | four-year bachelor's with an average of 3.5/5 or above | 6.0 or 6.5 by course, no band below 5.5 |
Some courses set higher requirements on their own pages. Note that the 3.5 threshold refers to the five-point scale on a Russian transcript, not to a percentage.
Hertfordshire International College
Hertfordshire International College (HIC) is on the university campus but run by Navitas, a separate company with its own contract and payment rules; the college website names Navitas as its operator.
| HIC course, 2026/27 | International fee |
|---|---|
| Foundation, one semester | $15,610 (£11,795) |
| Foundation, two semesters: business, law, humanities and media | $22,490 (£16,995) |
| Foundation, two semesters: physics, engineering, computer science, creative arts, health, life sciences | $23,550 (£17,795) |
| First Year Business at HIC | $23,280 (£17,595) |
| First Year Integrated | $24,610 (£18,595) |
| Pre-Master's: one / two / three semesters | $15,870 / $21,960 / $28,180 (£11,995 / 16,595 / 21,295) |
The number of semesters depends on your English and grades. HIC sets its own English thresholds, which for some courses are higher than the university's table: its foundation tables list IELTS for UKVI from 5.5. Students below that level can take an eight-week IEL English course for $5,260 (£3,975). HIC offers a £2,000 Progression Scholarship to students who move on to the university, and progression depends on final college grades. Our foundation year guide compares the formats.
University fees for 2026/27
| Level | International fee per year |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's, standard fee | $23,090 (£17,450) |
| One-year master's, standard fee | $23,750–30,370 (£17,950–22,950) |
| One-year master's, non-standard courses | $26,400–31,030 (£19,950–23,450) |
These fees apply to new 2026/27 students; 2027/28 fees will be published separately. No tuition fee is charged for a sandwich placement or study-abroad year, and paying the whole year at registration earns a $1,320 (£1,000) discount. A CAS requires a deposit of at least £5,000, more on some courses.
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS, with the equal-consideration deadline for 2027 entry on 13 January 2027; see applying to UK universities.
Scholarships and discounts (January 2027 intake)
- Chancellor's International Scholarship: $660–5,290 (£500–4,000) for new international undergraduate and taught master's students, assessed automatically with no separate application. HIC and preparatory courses are excluded.
- UG Tri Annual Scholarship: $2,650 (£2,000) a year for international undergraduates, up to $7,940 (£6,000) over a three-year course; for students joining the university for the first time, not for HIC students.
- Super Early Bird Payment Scholarship: $5,290 (£4,000) for international master's applicants who pay a deposit of at least £5,000 by 31 October 2026. Some courses, such as MSc Diagnostic Radiography and MSc Paramedic Science, are excluded.
- Herts graduate discount: 20% off the first year of full-time taught or research postgraduate study on the UK campus.
These awards generally cannot be combined. Terms for September 2027 are published separately, and the University of Hertfordshire decides eligibility. Other options are in scholarships in the UK.
Housing and budget
The university offers on-campus housing to first-year and returning students who apply by its deadline and meet its terms. As an example, a single en-suite room on de Havilland campus costs $270 (£204.26) a week in 2026/27, paid by semester.
Because Hatfield is outside London, the visa requires £1,171 a month for nine months, $13,950 (£10,539), rising to $14,330 (£10,827) for applications from 30 November 2026, plus unpaid tuition; London universities require noticeably more. See our student housing guide, and use only lawful payment routes from Russia (how to pay for studies abroad from Russia).
Student visa and post-study work
- The CAS follows a deposit of at least £5,000; apply for the visa no earlier than six months before the course starts.
- Visa fee $740 (£558); Immigration Health Surcharge $1,030 (£776) for each year of leave.
- Funds held for 28 consecutive days, statement no older than 31 days on the application date.
- Residents of Russia and Kazakhstan need a tuberculosis test at a GOV.UK-listed clinic.
- Foundation and Pre-Master's students need a visa-approved test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI; see English tests for a UK student visa.
- The Graduate visa lasts 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027.
UK Visas and Immigration makes every visa decision. See the UK student visa and Graduate Route guides.
Common mistakes
- Applying to year one with the attestat alone; the university also requires a university year or a UK foundation.
- Expecting university scholarships while at HIC: Chancellor's and similar awards exclude the college, which has its own progression award.
- Missing the early-deposit date that triggers the £4,000 Super Early Bird award.
- Reading the 3.5/5 threshold as a percentage or a 100-point score.
- Budgeting on London rules: Hatfield counts as outside London and the visa figure is lower.
Timeline for autumn 2027
- October–December 2026: choose a subject and sit IELTS for UKVI.
- By 13 January 2027: apply through UCAS (with a completed university year or A-levels) or to HIC with the attestat.
- Spring 2027: accept the offer, pay the deposit and apply for halls before the university's deadline.
- Summer 2027: funds for 28 days, TB test, CAS and visa.
- September 2027: the foundation starts; year one at the university begins in September 2028.
FAQ
Can I enter the University of Hertfordshire after 11 years of school?
Yes, into a foundation with the attestat; the minimum IELTS depends on the course length, from 4.5 in the university's table to 5.5 for some HIC programmes. Year one also needs a first university year or a UK foundation, and the University of Hertfordshire decides on progression from the college.
How much does the University of Hertfordshire cost?
In 2026/27 the standard international undergraduate fee is $23,090 (£17,450) a year and taught master's courses cost $23,750–30,370 (£17,950–22,950). A two-semester foundation at HIC costs $22,490–23,550.
What scholarships are available to international students?
For January 2027 entry there is the automatic Chancellor's International Scholarship of £500–4,000, the UG Tri Annual Scholarship of £2,000 a year for undergraduates, and £4,000 for master's applicants who pay an early deposit. Awards do not combine, and the university decides eligibility.
What is Hertfordshire International College?
It is the pathway college on the Hatfield campus, run by Navitas, offering a foundation, a first-year programme and a Pre-Master's. Students progress to the university with the required grades, and the University of Hertfordshire confirms admission.
What grade average do I need for a master's?
For Russia, a four-year bachelor's averaging at least 3.5 out of 5, with IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 depending on the course. Below 3.5 the university offers a Pre-Master's, and admissions decides on each individual degree.
How much money do I need for the visa when studying in Hatfield?
Hatfield is outside London, so you show £1,171 a month for nine months, $13,950 (£10,539), or $14,330 (£10,827) from 30 November 2026, plus unpaid tuition. UK Visas and Immigration issues the visa.
Sources
- University of Hertfordshire: requirements for Russia
- International fees 2026/27, scholarships and discounts
- Hertfordshire International College: fees 2026/27, English requirements, home page (Progression Scholarship)
- Student accommodation, de Havilland single en-suite
- UCAS: 2027 deadlines
- GOV.UK: Student visa, money, HC 584, IHS, Graduate visa, SELT, TB testing in Russia
Amounts are converted at the ECB reference rates of 1 October 2026 (£1 = $1.3234) and rounded to $10. Data checked on 1 October 2026.
If you want to work through your route, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Cranfield University: Postgraduate Admission, 2027/28 Fees and Scholarships
- University of Essex: Admission, Fees and Scholarships for 2027
- Studying in the UK for international applicants
- Universities in London for International Students: List, Rankings, Fees and How to Choose for 2027
- Foundation Year in the UK: Types, Entry Requirements, Costs and Progression
- Scholarships in the UK in 2026: Chevening, Gates Cambridge, Clarendon and University Awards — What Applicants from Russia, Kazakhstan and Central Asia Can Get
